The Impact of Universal Pre-K on Child Care Providers in FWISD 2014
Appendix VIII: Survey Comments – Child Care Homes Impact of Pre-K on Child Care Homes Impacts to Financial Stability Impact on Revenues - Decreased Enrollment I tend to have more 3,4,5 year olds than younger children in my care. If they keep going to school early we will not survive financially. The market is already saturated with daycare centers and home facilities. Since fewer children will be enrolling in the programs, facilities will see a loss of children and an increase in competition. They won't be full time anymore, and sometimes they never come back. When school starts sometimes I've been left with one or two children. I've been fortunate this year that I have younger children enrolled Impact on Costs – Reduced Costs I would have a decrease in students so I would not have to buy as many supplies that I had in the past My overall costs would decrease if the 4-year-olds were not enrolled full-time during the day during the school year. Impact on Costs – Ratios Children will go to school instead of daycare----also since the state sees a four year old in the same realm of a three year old for ratios. I would still have to charge the same for that child, even if in school all day/half day. Parents will find alternate care if they can afford it. ---they do not understand the ratios, and will not understand still having to pay the fee for a four year old, when a school age child is so much cheaper Ratio will be affected because as a registered home ratio will decrease because more infants will be required to cover the loss of income The impact for a 4yr old child enrolling in pre-k is $30 per child, if you consider that my operation can only support 12 children. I will have a limited space to accommodate after school children because I have to make up the income that is loss by adding more infants which decrease my total kid ratio. Impact on Revenues – Decreased Enrollment If the 4-year-olds decreased enrollment during the school year, the financial stability of my program would be strongly impacted because I would lose funds from the decrease in this age group's enrollment. I definitely will have to start advertising again. I stay as full as I want to. By word of mouth. My income will decrease at least 50% next year. This year it decreased 20%. There will be a decrease in income; most of my 4 year old remain in my daycare until they are 5 years old. Impact on Revenues - Decreased Provider Income I have been almost forced to get back in the workforce twice in the last 5 years due to enrollment If enrollment drops below 3, I'll seek part time employment The decrease in 4 year olds would change from full time pay to part time pay.
Impact on Quality My curriculum level would've decreased. I get much satisfaction from teaching my kids to read and write. Three year olds are just not at that level yet. Try to make sure all that I have the lessons that are needed for this age group and grade level No Impact on Quality I don't believe there would be a change in quality since each child receives the best customized care, no matter what age they are. I provide a quality program regardless of my enrollment. I still have to have training and I will always pass that on to my children Quality will not be affected.
Strategies to Minimize Impacts Offset Enrollment with Younger Children I have shifted my focus to the younger children.
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